7 Reasons Why You Should Take Maternity Photos

You’re counting down the days until your little one arrives! Depending on how you feel at this stage of your pregnancy, you may be unsure about whether you want to invest time and money into professional maternity photos. Maybe you’re self-conscious about the way your body looks or maybe you’re just not sure about the cost of a photo session. While it’s most important to make a decision that’s right for you and your personal needs, there are many reasons why maternity photos are definitely worth the investment and are a choice you won’t regret.

Celebrate your pregnancy journey

Pregnancy may not be a phase of your life you enjoy, especially in the last few months. As your body grows larger, you may not want any photos of yourself taken and wouldn’t want to share images with friends and family. It can be a challenge watching your body change so much, and it can also be easy to forget just how miraculous and incredible pregnancy really is. A maternity photo session allows you to focus on the new life your body is working so hard to create, instead of the way you look, and can remind you of the excitement and joy that comes with bringing your child into the world.

Capture the joy and anticipation

No matter how you feel physically, pregnancy is a time of looking hopefully and delightfully toward the future. In the months and years to come, as you focus on raising your new child, you may forget what it felt like to be eagerly awaiting their arrival. Maternity photos can serve as a reminder of those feelings in the years to come. After all, most women only experience pregnancy a few times in their lives, and chances are you won’t regret having a memento of that special time.

Mark this moment in your family’s growth

I’m a firm believer that you can never have too many photos of your family. So much of life passes by in a blur, and we often forget more than we remember. Whether this is your first child or your fourth, your pregnancy is a great time to get some family photos with not just you and your partner, but your other children as well. If you take time to do photo sessions on a regular basis, you can chart the growth of your family over the years—something your future self and your children will definitely be thankful for.

Reveal the sex or name of your child

A professional maternity session can be a fun way to announce either the sex or the name of your child—or even both! There are so many fun and creative ways to announce your little one’s name or sex to the world with photos, and your photographer would be more than happy to help you make that announcement. Scroll through Pinterest for ideas or think about the interests or hobbies you and your partner share as inspiration for telling the world your news.

Have an excuse to get all dressed up

Let’s face it: during pregnancy, most of us don’t feel our most beautiful. You may spend a lot of time wearing whatever is most comfortable and a lot less time on your hair and makeup. But maternity photos are the perfect excuse to go all out on your beauty routine, whether that means doing your hair yourself or stopping into a salon to get the perfect hairdo. Pregnancy is a time in many women’s lives when they really need to feel beautiful because they so often don’t. A maternity session allows you to revel in your beauty and strength and to remind yourself of how absolutely stunning you are.

Take time to bond with your partner

One of the coolest things about maternity sessions is the interactions between couples as they celebrate the new life they’ve created. Your maternity shoot gives you and your partner a chance to reflect on the life you’ve built together and how much has changed in your relationship since the beginning. Plus, maternity images are a great way to mark a major shift in the life of your family and in who you both are as you transition to parenthood.

Get images worth displaying

A lot of people have their wedding photos hanging on the walls of their home, but imagine having images on your walls from every stage in your family’s growth—from marriage to your first child all the way down to when you become grandparents. Maternity photos capture a moment in time that’s just as important as your wedding day. You’re welcoming a new child into your lives and your home—that’s huge! It’s definitely a moment that deserves professional photography, just like your wedding day.

Honoring your Rainbow Babies | A story of Hope

The Rainbow Project

The loss of a pregnancy or child is a feeling that no mother (or father) should ever have to experience. It brings anger, and emptiness that is incomparable to any other feeling I've ever experienced.

I'll spare everyone the sappy, long story, but I suffered a still birth almost 4 years ago now. Our son, Aaron, was only 21 weeks when he took his last breath, and since that time, I promised myself I'd never stop talking about him. I'll never stop bringing awareness to infant loss and how I cope. I never want another to mama to feel alone through her own experience and I continue to spread the story of hope and joy that can be experienced after loss. Whether you have suffered a miscarriage, experienced a still birth, or have lost a child in any way, this gut wrenching experience is no doubt the most devastating event of your life...but you're not alone mama...and there's hope!

So...What is a rainbow baby??

A rainbow baby is a baby born after miscarriage, still birth or infant loss. A rainbow baby is that precious miracle a family receives after the "storm" they've just weathered.

They are your tomorrow, your hope.

Pregnancy after loss

When you finally fall pregnant again it can be scary. "What if something happens?" "What if we lose this baby too?" "What if I forget Aaron?" These are all thoughts I had after getting pregnant with my rainbow son, Jason.

In my experience, and I know every parent will see it differently, your rainbow is not a replacement baby. This beautiful new life was sent here to comfort you and offer hope after the storm. This new miracle doesn't replace what you've lost- it brings joy and comfort to you and your family. Your rainbow baby brings a sense of beauty that wouldn't be there had you not experienced the storm. Pregnancy after loss is hard. It causes anxiety that can feel overwhelming at times. These emotions can feel like a lot to take in. Feel them mama. They are intense but they are a part of your healing. 4 years later, I still feel these things. I don't think it'll ever go away, but you're not alone.

Every milestone you experience with your rainbow will be bitter sweet. You're so excited to celebrate these milestones with your baby, but they can be hard as it is something you never got to experience with your angel. It's okay to cry when your baby learns to walk. It's okay to be happy and sad all at once. Lean into those feelings and know you're the absolute best parent this baby can have.

If you've stuck with me this far, I appreciate you! If you're going through a loss, experiencing your first pregnancy after a loss, or if you just wanted to hang around and get in my feelings with me, I want to say thank you for listening and going through this journey with me. I put together this event to show other parents that they are not alone. Every pregnancy, and every child should be celebrated, of course, but there is just something so special about that rainbow baby. 1 in 4 women experience a miscarriage in their life time, most suffer silently alone. But you're not alone mama.

You'll get through this.

There is hope

10 Creative & Beautiful Maternity Photo Shoot Ideas

Congrats on your expecting baby! I can’t wait to capture this journey for you!

If you think all maternity photos are the same, think again. Just like any other photo session, your maternity shoot should be about capturing your personality and celebrating your unique and wonderful pregnancy journey. Check out these 10 ideas for making your maternity photo shoot your own.

Go graceful with a flowing dress

If you’re looking for stunning imagery, consider wearing a flowing maternity dress with a long train. These dresses come in almost any color and look beautiful in outdoor maternity shoots when they’re caught by the wind. This simple yet beautiful shoot idea is a great way for the mom-to-be to feel beautiful in her last trimester. (And don’t worry, my studio offers a variety of dresses in our client closet open to clients who are worried about buying a dress for a one time occasion)

Show off your silhouette

Maternity photos are all about the beauty of pregnancy, and a cool way to capture your baby bump is with photos of your silhouette. These high-contrast photos can be taken outside in front of a sunset, in a studio, or even in your home in front of a window. No matter where you choose to take your photos, the silhouette shot is a lovely way to capture the miracle of pregnancy.

Choose an unexpected location

Sometimes the best locations are the ones you wouldn’t normally think of for photos. Instead of going for a park or field, consider the natural wonders of your area, whether that’s a mountain backdrop, a gorgeous hiking trail, or a secluded spot on the beach. Talk to your photographer about their favorite less common spots for photos and be open to trying something new.

Mix it up

When you think of maternity photos, you may think of an expectant mother holding her belly and smiling, but your session is what you make it. Don’t be afraid to try different poses, whether serious or silly. Let your personality show! After all, these photos are all about you and your pregnancy journey, which is different for every woman. Find poses, shots, and locations that are meaningful to you or help tell your unique story.

Take advantage of golden light

Timing is everything when it comes to natural light photos, and one of the best times to take maternity photos is during “golden hour”—just before sunset. As the sun goes down, everything is suffused with a beautiful golden glow, which is the perfect setting for your maternity photos. If you want to get these stunning images, be sure to talk to your photographer about the best time of day to schedule your shoot so you don’t miss the light

Get in close

While it’s wonderful to have full-body photos, sometimes closeup images can be the sweetest ones! Whether taking photos with a partner or on your own, ask your photographer to capture some closeup images of your hands and belly. You never know what unique shot might end up being your favorite!

Consider staying at home

Not interested in going out and walking through a field for your maternity photos? Consider an in-home shoot where you can be more comfortable and more yourself. This also gives your photographer an opportunity to snap more natural, candid photos of you and your family as you prepare for your baby’s arrival. You can even take some photos of the nursery to capture the anticipation of waiting for your little one.

Don’t say no to the studio

Natural light photos are incredibly popular right now, and a lot of people think that studio photos are outdated or cheesy. But studio photos are so much more than a cheap backdrop at the local mall. Photographers have complete control of lighting and backgrounds in their studio, allowing them to capture images that perfectly reflect your personality and beauty. If you have your heart set on an in-home or outdoor session, go for it, but don’t be afraid to give a studio session a try.

 Take it to the streets

Your outdoor maternity session doesn’t have to stick to fields and lakes. Instead, consider going a little more urban by strolling the streets of your local downtown. Murals, cafes, shops, and even graffiti can make for incredible backdrops to your images, and you still get all the color and brightness of natural light with a fresh, more modern look.

Do what you love most

Are you an avid reader? Do you love to garden? Maybe you play piano or work with rescue animals. Whatever you love, consider incorporating it into your maternity photos. Whether it’s wearing a jersey for your favorite team or bringing your dog along to your session, express the things that matter most to you—and the things you can’t wait to share with your child. —And don’t be afraid to get your partner/family involved! Including your loved ones in these memories make it all the more special!

Most of all, pamper and enjoy yourself! However you choose to capture this special time in your life, I am here to make that vision come to life!

Why You Should Invest In A Newborn Session

If you’re like most people, you probably spent a good chunk of your wedding budget on photos—and with good reason! After all, once all the guests have gone home, your wedding photos are the only thing you have left to remember the emotions and joy of that day!

But there are other days in your life and in your marriage that matter just as much as your wedding day. The birth of your first child—or even your second or third—marks a huge shift in the life of your family. It’s a major milestone and an amazing moment, and one you’ll want to cherish for years to come.

 Newborn photos allow you to hold on to those memories as your child grows and begins to crawl, talk, and walk. Those images will remind you of the magic and wonder of your child’s first days of life, and that’s just one of the reasons why you should consider investing in a newborn photo session.

You may regret skipping photos one day. 

I’ve never met a single person who regretted having photos of major moments in their lives. Have you ever seen someone toss out their graduation or wedding photos? Of course not! That’s because memories are incredibly important, and photos are one of the primary ways we hold onto memories. You’re far more likely to regret not taking photos than you are to regret having them.

 A newborn photo session may seem like something you don’t need when you’re so busy taking care of a baby and adapting to this major change in your household. But in the years to come, when your child grows up, you’ll be glad to have photos to remind you of their first days.

You won’t get a second chance at taking these images.

If your family photos don’t turn out like you wanted, you can always retake them. But you only have a limited time to capture newborn images before your child is too big—and you can’t decide to take them later if you change your mind. Capturing photos of your little one at their newest and smallest is an opportunity that you absolutely don’t want to miss.

Your kids will be grateful—and so will your grandkids.

Did you ever look at old photos of your parents or grandparents when you were growing up? It’s so fun to look for family resemblances and to see how much everyone has grown and changed. Photos can help give your family a sense of history and help your kids better understand where they came from and what life was like before they could remember. Having photos of your children as newborns will give them something to look back on and cherish with their own kids. Plus, it may start a tradition that will continue for generations!

One day, photos will be all you’ll have left.

You may think you’ll always remember the most important moments in your life, but chances are you won’t. As we age, memories fade, and we sometimes struggle to hold on to even the most important ones. That’s what is so amazing about photography: it allows you to capture memories and helps remind you of the biggest moments in your life.

5 Tips for Taking Photos of Your Newborn Before Leaving the Hospital

Your little one has finally entered the world! As you celebrate your child’s arrival, you and your family will definitely want to get some photos before you leave the hospital. Those first moments go by in a blur, and images of your child’s first couple days are definitely something you will want to look back on in the days and years to come.

Since most professional photographers are still not allowed in hospital rooms for a Fresh 48 session, I’ve put together a list of a few tips for taking your own photos below!

Take advantage of natural light

Hospital lighting is flattering to no one. It can be too bright and wash out colors in photos, or it can be too dark, leaving your images in shadow. The flash on your phone or point-and-shoot camera won’t be much help either, as it can lead to harsh shadows and yellow-looking skin tones. If your room has a window, use the daylight as much as possible to capture some photos of your newborn. Make sure to open the blinds all the way, and if you need to, you can even move the bassinet over to the window in order to put your baby in the best light.

Don’t worry about posing

Posed portraits are for the professionals and are better saved for your newborn photos. Hospital photos should be candid, capturing the real moments of your baby’s first days. While you may move your child around the room for different angles and backdrops, just focus on capturing their genuine first expressions. Those are the images you’ll most want to look back on.

Choose the right angles

To get the best photos, try different angles and see which images turn out the best. As a general rule of thumb, downward angles work well, so try photographing your baby from above. You can even play with different focus points and see what you like. The best thing to do is take a lot of photos so you have plenty of options when you look back at them later.

Capture the details

You’ll be amazed at how fast your little one grows up, so it’s always a great idea to capture those tiny toes and fingers. Your baby’s life will be pretty simple those first couple days, but that doesn’t make the moments any less important to you and your family. Be sure to take photos of first feedings and visits from family members, as well as that adorable outfit for their trip home.

Make sure you’re not just the photographer

If this is your first child, you may be understandably excited to capture photos, but you may not realize how little you end up in images when you’re always the photographer. Ask family members to get photos of you with your baby as well. You may want to avoid getting in front of the camera because of how you look and feel, but trust me, those pictures will mean a lot to you later down the road.

I’ve never met a parent who regretted having hundreds of photos of their newborn, but I’ve definitely met people who wish they had taken the time to take more pictures when their baby was small. Take some time before you leave the hospital to capture your child’s first moments, and if you find that prospect a little daunting, book a professional to come in and take photos of your family as you welcome this precious new life into the world.